The Google Pixel 9 family is here , and it consists of four phone : the groundwork modelPixel 9,Pixel 9 Pro , Pixel 9 Pro XL , and thePixel 9 Pro Fold . That ’s quite a beefy card that Google dropped this year , especially when they all have 12 GB to 16 GB RAM and the new Tensor G4 chip for all the AI goodies .

But then Google cause thing a snatch more complicated , as there ’s the more budget - friendlyGoogle Pixel 8athat came out a few calendar month agoand the fact that it ’s still selling the   Pixel 8 ,   Pixel 8 Pro , and even the   Pixel 7a .   Rumorhas it that there will be a Pixel 9a sometime next year , as Google has typically released a more budget - well-disposed Pixel speech sound midway through the production rhythm .

But at this point , is a Pixel 9a necessary ? With four Modern earphone that just dropped , I consider the Pixel A - serial is no longer necessitate . Here ’s why .

Things are already confusing

The Pixel 9 card has been one of my favorites of 2024 . I thoroughlyenjoyed using the Pixel 9 television camera , and thePixel 9 Pro is basically the Pro headphone I ’ve wanted for years . Those who want a turgid Pro phone have the Pixel 9 Pro XL , and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an pick for those who want a fold up earphone

The Pixel 9 series on its own is great . However , we need to look at what Google presently sells on its prescribed memory board , in additionto the Pixel 9 line . We have the Pixel 8a , Pixel 8 , Pixel 8 Pro , and Pixel 7a . The Pixel 7a costs $ 499 and is a year and a half old at this degree . The Pixel 8 is $ 699 and the Pixel 8 Pro is $ 999 , and both are almost a year old . The Pixel 8a is $ 499 and just came out a few months ago .

The Pixel 9 is $ 799 , the Pixel 9 Pro is $ 999 , the Pixel 9 Pro XL is $ 1,099 , and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is $ 1,799 .

There are a lot of interchangeable price point at the mo , and truth be assure , the prices of everything seem all over the lieu . Why foot a Pixel 7a when you may get a Pixel 8a for the same toll ? But really , you could just get the Pixel 8 for $ 100 more . However , the base mannequin Pixel 9 will have much better features than both of those for just $ 300 more . Then why stop there when you may get the small Pixel 9 Pro for another $ 200 ?

Again , I think the Pixel 9 lineup is marvellous , and it ’s decidedly one of the good Pixel launch I ’ve seen . But Google involve to stop selling the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 professional , and even the Pixel 7a . At this distributor point , it just does n’t make good sense to keep them in the card .

The Pixel 9a would make it worse

A leak from belatedly last month seems to showwhat could potentially be the Pixel 9a . From the leaked photo of the Pixel 9a , it will sport the flat edges of the current Pixel 9 lineup but also shrivel up the tv camera island and make it sit flush with the rear glass . While some of my confrere do n’t care this figure at all , I think it look interesting . After all , I miss the day when camera module were n’t gigantic and when earphone did n’t wobble when examine to lay them categorical on a surface .

But despite like the cool look , I finger like a Pixel 9a would n’t bring much to the table . After all , the Pixel 9 is still anexcellentphone despite being the alkali modelling , and it has a terrific 50MP primary camera and 48MP ultrawide crystalline lens .

Based on what we ’ve go out , the Pixel 9a would have a dual camera setup , too , but perhaps smaller sensing element due to the affluent tv camera bump . Is lowering the tv camera specification to save some money really necessary ? By the time a Pixel 9a comes out , I ’m also pretty sure you could get some howling deals on the understructure Pixel 9 , considering that the prices of Pixels often fluctuate because of trade - in deals and sale , unlike the iPhone .

Since the Pixel 9 familyalready has four phones in the batting order , is a 5th “ inexpensive ” optionreallyneeded at this point ? I believe it would make the batting order more complicated than it needs to be , and it ’s always beenhard to urge the brassy Pixel earpiece anyway .

The Pixel 9 serial is hunky-dory the way it is correctly now , as there is something for everyone . Give us more options , but without overdoing it .